A canteen for my collection?

[FiremarshalBill]

I have a pretty small collection of original American Civil War items (Lorenz musket, Remington revolver, Ames artillery short sword, 8" mortar shell, bullets, etc.) but I'm thinking an original canteen would be a nice addition for display. I've set myself a limit of $175 for a nice original canteen. Does that amount seem reasonable? A strap and stopper would be essential, but I suppose a cloth/canvas/leather strap could be improvised for display, otherwise condition isn't all that important. What should I look for (or avoid) in my search for a nice wall hanger ACW canteen? Any leads you might know of? Thanks.

 

[Package4]

I have a pretty small collection of original American Civil War items (Lorenz musket, Remington revolver, Ames artillery short sword, 8" mortar shell, bullets, etc.) but I'm thinking an original canteen would be a nice addition for display. I've set myself a limit of $175 for a nice original canteen. Does that amount seem reasonable? A strap and stopper would be essential, but I suppose a cloth/canvas/leather strap could be improvised for display, otherwise condition isn't all that important. What should I look for (or avoid) in my search for a nice wall hanger ACW canteen? Any leads you might know of? Thanks.

Unfortunately canteens have gone up in price, particularly with complete cover, strap and stopper. The Horse Soldier has one for $295, which is about right, many of the canteens on EBay are reproductions from reenactors, so beware. Middle Tennessee Relics has a few, but most without cover.

Patience might turn one up in your price range and your best bet is one of the ACW shows. The Baltimore Antique Arms Show is coming up mid March, if you are in the area.

I'll keep an eye out and check EBay for you.

Good luck,

Ray

 

[Package4]

I have a pretty small collection of original American Civil War items (Lorenz musket, Remington revolver, Ames artillery short sword, 8" mortar shell, bullets, etc.) but I'm thinking an original canteen would be a nice addition for display. I've set myself a limit of $175 for a nice original canteen. Does that amount seem reasonable? A strap and stopper would be essential, but I suppose a cloth/canvas/leather strap could be improvised for display, otherwise condition isn't all that important. What should I look for (or avoid) in my search for a nice wall hanger ACW canteen? Any leads you might know of? Thanks.

Check the one for $230 @ Akinsamericana.com, needs a little restiching but is a nice example at an affordable price.

 

[Kirk Womack]

You may be able to find a half way decent original without a cover for $175, but the complete ones seem to start at around $250.

 

[FiremarshalBill]

You may be able to find a half way decent original without a cover for $175, but the complete ones seem to start at around $250.

I guess I wasn't expecting one with a cover at my price. What about this one on eBay?... http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338579798&icep_item=163986513232

Original? It's close enough to me that I could drive down and take a look at it. Should there be a manufacturers name stamped on or near the spout?

 

[Kirk Womack]

I'm afraid I'm no authority on canteens. It doesn't appear to be a mdl1858 canteen. Meaning I don't believe it's civil war era. It appears to be Indian war era, or possibly a private purchase, although that's very unlikely.

 

[FiremarshalBill]

I'm afraid I'm no authority on canteens. It doesn't appear to be a mdl1858 canteen. Meaning I don't believe it's civil war era. It appears to be Indian war era, or possibly a private purchase, although that's very unlikely.

Yeah, I was wondering about that stopper chain. Kind of a folded link style that I haven't seen on other original ACW canteens.

 

[Kirk Womack]

Yeah, I was wondering about that stopper chain. Kind of a folded link style that I haven't seen on other original ACW canteens.

It's not so much the chain as the loops the strap is attached to. The mdl1858 had three strap loops, and they weren't on a swivel like these are. It also looks thinner than the mdl1858.

 

[Gandycreek]

Indian Wars style canteen. Not ACW.

 

[Package4]

I guess I wasn't expecting one with a cover at my price. What about this one on eBay?... http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338579798&icep_item=163986513232

Original? It's close enough to me that I could drive down and take a look at it. Should there be a manufacturers name stamped on or near the spout?

It appears to be a late ACW surplus canteen converted for IW use. Many of these were converted by removing the lower sling guide and either inserting swivels on the existing two sling guides or removing entirely and soldering the swivels. The canteen covers were sometimes removed, proofed and recovered with canvas. The canteen looks thinner due to the different cover, canvas versus wool.

I would pass as this is not even a very good IW specimen, way too much rust.